Air distributor manifold and valve disk



May 27, 196 A. J. CARROLL AIR DISTRIBUTOR MANIFOLD AND VALVE DISK I shet orz Filed Dec. 6, 1967 u 6 3 1 4 w 7 a y 7/ z N x 6 2 a a x 0 z .a 7 /J INVENTOR. 144F250 J: 622/2044 Ame/vs) May 27, 1969 Filed Dec. 6, 1967 A. J. CARROLL AIR DISTRIBUTOR MANIFOLD AND VALVE DISK Sheet .2

INVENTOR A4 FRED J. 622E044 nited States atent O U.S. Cl. 230-46 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An air pressure and vacuum distribution system having an air pump, a rotary disk type distribution valve and a plurality of receiving containers. The inlet and outlet of the pump are connected to the valve and become the source of vacuum and air pressure respectively to be transmitted intermittently and alternately from the valve to each of the containers through a single conduit.

During the automatic processing of tissue or the staining of microglass slides, or the processing of photographic film as well as other related processes, it is necessary to remove and replace a liquid chemical to a glass tumbler containing the product to be treated. This recurring introduction and removal of the chemical to the product occurs intermittently over a considerable period of time. To automatically complete the above named cycle relieves the operator of a tedious duty, and also increases the accuracy of the treating time.

This invention relates to an air distributor manifold and valve disk whereby air pressure and vacuum is alternately exerted on a tumbler containing the tissue and the like, whereby a liquid chemical alternately forced into the tumbler by vacuum and expelled from the tumbler by vacuum and expelled from the tumbler under pressure.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel air distributor manifold of the character stated in which the treating chemical is introduced to the tumbler and removed therefrom through a single tube.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel air distributor manifold which is suitable for either automatic or remote control of a liquid and a movement thereof into and out of a container or tumbler.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel air distributor manifold in which both the pressure and vacuum required for the operator of the manifold is achieved through a single pump in which the outlet side of the pump exerts pressure and the intake side of the pump exerts a vacuum.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel air distributor manifold in which the valve disk is automatically positioned to direct the pressure side of the pump to one side of the manifold, and at the same time will open the vacuum to allow relief of the pump and its proper continuous operation. Conversely, when vacuum is required the valve is moved to a position that will relieve the pressure side of the pump and permit the vacuum side to be activated.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawings. the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawings FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view of my valve disk.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the same.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 1.

3,446,423 Patented May 27, 1969 FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of my air distributor manifold and valve disk.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, I will first describe one example of how my air distributor manifold and valve disk can be used. This description will be in connection with the treatment of tissue for the purpose of staining the same. The numeral 1 indicates a base including a horizontal top plate 2. A vertical shaft 3 is journaled in the base 1 at one end and this shaft extends vertically above the plate 2 for a purpose to be subsequently described. A Geneva wheel 4 is fixedly mounted on the shaft 3 above the plate 2 and this Geneva wheel includes peripheral notches or teeth, as is usual in a Geneva wheel. The Geneva wheel 4 and the shaft 3 are intermittently rotated by means of the motor 5, or other suitable motive power. The Geneva wheel 4 and the shaft 3 are rotated quite slowly to provide ample time for the tissue treatment. A collar 6 surrounds the shaft 3 above the base 1, and the shaft 3 is keyed to this collar so that the collar rotates intermittently with the shaft 3. The purpose of this construction will be subsequently described. An air pump 7 is driven from a suitable source of power, and this pump is provided with an air intake 8 which provides a partial vacuum and an air outlet 9 which provides air pressure. A suitable container or vial 10 is connected to the pump 9 and is alternately under pressure to expel fluid from it to a basin 11. On alternate cycles the container 10 is evacuated and fluid is drawn from the basin 11 back into the container 10 through a single tube 12, which extends into both the container 10 and the basin 11. Thus fluid is drawn through the tube 12 in two directions to constantly introduce fluid into the container 10 and withdraw fluid therefrom as required by the tissue which is being treated, or for other purposes.

This reversal of flow described above is accomplished through the rotary valve '13 constructed as follows: A lower disk 14 and an upper disk 15 are bolted together by the bolts 16 extending through the flanges. The disks 1415 and the base 1 are all held stationary by a suitable support (not shown), and also the disks 14-15 are slightly spaced vertically in their central area to receive a control disk 17 therebetween. The control disk 17 is keyed to the shaft 3 and is rotated intermittently by the shaft to direct pressure and vacuum through the tubes 18-19 which extend from the valve 13 to the container 10. There are a large number of containers 10, each of which contains a separate chemical or other product, and each container has a single tube 18 extending thereto and also a separate basin 11 and a single tube 12 extending from the container 10 to the basin 11, containing the tissue or other product. Thus it is possible to treat a large number of specimens or products simultaneously, and all are controlled from a single air distributor manifold and valve 13.

A ring 20 is fixedly secured in a groove to the upper face of the disk 15. The under surface of the ring 20 is divided into two separated passages 21 and 22 by a tortuous shaped wall 23. Thus the inner passage 21 is always under a partial vacuum and the outer passage 22 is always under pressure. The vacuum and pressure are obtained through the tubes 8 and 9 which extend to the ports 24 and 25 respectively. So that the pump may not be choked oif entirely if the pressure or vacuum side should be closed, I provide a by-pass arrangement which opens both the pressure and vacuum side to the air. This by-pass arrangement includes two nipples 26-27, 26 being the vacuum side and 27 being the pressure side. The upper disk is provided with a series of circularly spaced holes 28 which are aligned alternately with the pressure groove and the vacuum groove 21. Each hole 28 is surrounded with an O-ring 29 to prevent leakage.

The control disk 17 is provided with a single port 30 which aligns with the ports 28 as the control disk 17 rotates step by step. A series of circularly spaced pairs of ports 31-32 are positioned at about the center of the disk 17, and these ports align step by step with the nipples 26-27 and the outlet nipples 33.

The bottom disk 14 is provided with a plurality of circularly spaced ports 34 which are aligned with the ports 28 in the upper disk 15. These ports are also each surrounded by a packing ring 35 to prevent leakage. A ring 36 is cemented or otherwise fixedly attached tothe bottom of the disk 15 and over the series of ports 30. The ring 36 is provided with holes 37, each of which is aligned with one of the holes 34. A nipple 38 extends from the bottom of the ring 36 at each of the ports 34 so that a tube 18 can be attached thereto and extend to the vial 10 for the purpose of either creating pressure in the vial or a vacuum alternately.

I n operation The shaft 3 is slowly rotated step by step through the Geneva wheel 4 and the motor 5. Also the pump 7 creates pressure in the outlet 9 and vacuum in the intake 8. The pressure and vacuum sides of the pump are connected to the passages 20-21 respectively and maintain constant vacuum and pressure in these passages respectively. The control disk 17 is rotated by the shaft 3 step by step, and alternately directs vacuum and pressure to the feed lines 18 and 19 to thus pressurize and evacuate the vial 10 through this single tube. Under pressure fuel will be ejected from the vial 10 into the basin 11, and under a partial vacuum fluid will be drawn from the basin 11 into the vial 10 through the same tube or pipe 12. Thus fluid will be intermittently ejected from the vial 10 and drawn into the vial 10 automatically as long as the air distributor manifold and valve disk is operating.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An air distributor manifold and valve comprising an air pump, drive means for the air pump, a stationary base, a drive shaft journaled in the base and rising therefrom, means intermittently rotating said shaft, a rotary valve including a pair of disks positioned in superimposed relation and mounted on said base, said disks having a pressure passage therein and a vacuum passage, a control disk positioned between said pair of disks, said control disk being fixedly mounted on said drive shaft, conduit means extending from the air pump to said pressure passage and vacuum passage, a plurality of nipples extending from one of said disks, a plurality of containers, and a single tube extending from each of the nipples to a container.

2. An air distributor manifold and valve as recited in claim 1, and said control disk alternately directing pressure and vacuum to each of said nipples.

3. An air distributor manifold and valve as recited in claim 1, and a sump connected to each container to receive liquid therefrom.

4. An air distributor manifold and valve as recited in claim 1, said control disk alternately directing pressure and vacuum to each of said nipples, and a sump connected to each container to receive liquid therefrom.

5. An air distributor manifold and valve as recited in claim 1, said air pump being a single unit including an air intake creating a partial vacuum and an air outlet creating pressure, said intake and outlets of the air pump being connected to said vacuum and pressure passages respectively.

6. An air distributor manifold and valve as recited in claim 1, said air pump being a single unit including an air intake creating a partial vacuum and an air outlet creating pressure, said intake and outlets of the air pump being connected -'to said vacuum and pressure passages respectively, said control disk having ports therein open to the atmosphere, said ports being connected to the intake and exhaust of the air pump to prevent constriction of the air pump.

7. An air distributor manifold and valve as recited in claim 1, said control disk alternately directing pressure and vacuum to each of said nipples, said air pump being a single unit including an air intake creating a partial vacuum and an air outlet creating pressure, said intake and outlet of the air pump being connected to said vacuum and pressure passages respectively.

8. An air distributor manifold and valve as recited in claim 1, said control disk alternately directing pressure and vacuum to each of said nipples, said air pump being a single unit including an air intake creating a partial vacuum and an air outlet creating pressure, said intake and outlets of the air pump being connected to said vacuum and pressure passages respectively, said control disk having ports therein open to the atmosphere, said ports being connected to the intake and exhaust of the air pump to prevent constriction of the air pump.

9. An air distributor manifold and valve as recited in claim 1, a sump connected to each container to receive liquid therefrom, said air pump being a single unit including an air intake creating a partial vacuum and an air outlet creating pressure, said intake and outlets of the air pump being connected to said vacuum and pressure passages respectively.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 502,244 7/1893 Best 230-225 1,140,206 5/ 1915 Swackhammer. 2,012,224 8/1935 De Bogory 230-225 X 2,952,274 9/ 1960 Anderson 137-62521 3,273,514 9/1966 Bender 103-236 3,280,747 10/1966 Muller-Meyer 103-2 3,297,052 1/1967 Robinson 137-62521 3,306,523 2/1967 Nilsson 230-46 3,310,002 3/ 1967 Wilburn 103-235 3,335,563 8/1967 Kitchen 230-22 X 3,351,271 11/1967 Bellmer 230-24 DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner. WARREN I. KRAUSS, Assistant Examiner.

US. 01. X.R. 

